Special Edition: 4th Anniversary of the War in Iraq

This Fire Jumping:
Thoughts on an Unwinnable Fight
by Paul Barile

There always seems to be someone who thinks they know best what is good for you.

They're usually the ones hiding in their manicured homes peering between the curtains from behind the tinted picture window. They are watching—with measured jealousy—as you ride up that plywood ramp and jump through a ring of flames on your old red Huffy.

You jump through the flames because you want to—because of how it makes you feel.

You do it because when it is done, you can go home and share the story with your dad over a slice of pepperoni pizza and a Barq's.

You can control the feelings and they make you feel strong.

Sometimes that someone buys a little power and dresses it up like grace—or something that smells like grace and they convince you that the ring of flames aren't dangerous.

They think they know better than you even though you have jumped through a thousand rings of fire and they have jumped through none.

So you mount that big old bike—you settle easy into the white vinyl banana seat and you begin to pedal. You grind your legs for all you're worth. This is your moment.

Suddenly you are flying through the air only the ring isn't ending. The ring has become a tunnel of fire and you are rolling through wave after wave of rolling flame. There is no one there to help you...

The one who convinced you to jump is nowhere around. He is across the street telling people that this fire jumping is a good thing. This fire jumping is a grand opportunity.

As you and your Huffy fall to the ground—the wheels melted and the chrome handle bars charred—the one who convinced you to jump doesn't even seem to notice. He just keeps talking louder and louder.

He seems to think that if he speaks loudly enough—he'll bury your screams.

He seems to think if he puffs his chest up enough—it will eclipse the horror that he has caused with his whimsical notion.

When you see that person, get on that old red Huffy bicycle and pedal away as fast as you can. He will not be there for you when you jump. He will not be there for you when you land.

Seize your state of grace and only jump through the fire for someone you absolutely love. Always remember you know what's best for you.